Latest Posts - Page 105 of 208

April 29, 2020April 18, 2020 Mastering Your Career

Stories Instead of Buzzwords – Showing What You Know

There are numerous guides and articles on how to interview. They all provide some great suggestions. However, I rarely see an essential recommendation for technical interviews. Some technical interviews require dry and detailed answers. Nevertheless, you will make a better impression when you focus on stories instead of buzzwords. We Solve Problems The most important aspect of our skills is how they are used to solve problems. While a series of buzzwords can be useful for a job search, that is not the best way to show your skills. It is good to include those buzzwords in your answers to technical questions, but not sufficient. Turn the simple responses about your skillset into stories about how you used them. For... Read more

April 27, 2020April 18, 2020 Mastering Your Career

I Can Find That Out,Saying I Do Not Know Yet

We are asked questions every day. Also, part of the expectation of our job is that we will have an answer. However, we do not have to answer immediately. It is acceptable to say that I can find that out or let me get back to you for that answer. Do not rush into a solution when you have time to think through a response or ping others. Experience Is Half The Battle Experience is one of the best teachers. When we are not clear on an answer, we often know where to start looking. This approach may utilize search engines, reference materials, or co-workers. The method we take is not as important as the results we get. Therefore, do... Read more

April 24, 2020April 13, 2020 Mastering Your Career

Accepting or Rejecting Job Offers

Part of advancing our career includes accepting or rejecting job offers. It may come as a surprise to you that we do have a choice. We might even reject an offer without having another option. There are considerations to keep in mind throughout this offer process. The Counter Offer Both sides can always take or leave an offer and then make adjustments. This process works the same for jobs as it does anything else we negotiate. For example, you can conditionally accept an offer and say you also require another week of vacation. There may be a change in your salary, or the bonus structure, or even your workspace. Do not limit your negotiations to simple things like salary and... Read more

April 22, 2020April 12, 2020 Mastering Your Career

One Offs, Side Projects, and Veering From Standards

Rules are meant to be broken, and sometimes there is a reason for veering from standards. We often do this to build a one-off or maybe a proof-of-concept. These are situations where we have a form of excuse to try out a new language or create something quickly instead of “correctly.” The rules are different for these projects, so what should we include in our planning? Avoiding POC Problems A critical flaw in some proof-of-concepts projects is that it is too good. There are times where the powers that be want to move forward quickly and build on that POC. While that may be feasible, it is often a wrong decision. There are short cuts taken for a POC that... Read more

April 20, 2020April 12, 2020 Mastering Your Career

When To Search For a New Job

Sooner or later, most of us have a desire to search for a new job. This situation can arise from negative things like personal conflicts and lack of challenge or can be looking for a better position. In any case, there are good and bad reasons and timing for a job search. The Obvious Timing We will quickly get the most apparent situation out of the way. There are times the market is perfect for getting a job, and times when it is not. These tend to be highly visible (a lot of people looking for the same type of job, or a lot of unfilled positions) and not under our control. The market is what it is. However, we... Read more

April 17, 2020April 5, 2020 Mastering Your Career

Marketing or Narcissism – How Much Is Too Much

When we build a personal brand, there is a certain amount of “bragging” we need to do. This form of marketing can be seen as pure narcissism at times. While that is not a concern as much as we may think so, it is still an area worth considering. Sometimes you can go too far, and then is it marketing or narcissism? Donald Trump and Oprah Winfrey Two perfect examples of over-the-top marketing are Donald Trump and Oprah Winfrey. The political nature of Trump has brought out those that accuse him of narcissism, but that is more recent. There is a difference between these two personal brands. However, both trumpet their features and successes steadily and often. I think it... Read more